In his congratulation message, Islam Karimov said that it gives me great pleasure to sincerely congratulate you and all compatriots on the significant date in the life of our country - the Day of Defenders of the Motherland, the 21st anniversary of the establishment of our Armed Forces.

Uzbek President said that a new efficient and mobile army, which meets modern requirements, has been set up in Uzbekistan over the years of independence. He said that during gradual reforms of the Armed Forces, the country conducted wide-scale and unique work on formation of principally new organizational structure, military management system, mechanism of coordination and collaboration of various troops. He said that training of troops was also improved.

Islam Karimov said that ensuring modernization and increasing alertness of the Armed Forces and their ability to rebuff any aggression against the country in time is becoming important in a rapidly changing modern world, growing threats and challenges.

“In the current difficult circumstances, the international community is particularly concerned about the danger of the spread of nuclear technology and weapons of mass destruction as well as about growing confrontation, political and religious radicalism and extremism, and the ongoing conflicts in the immediate vicinity of our borders; in the first place, tension is growing in connection with the forthcoming withdrawal of ISAF from Afghanistan before and after 2014,” Uzbek President stated.

One should not underestimate the expansion of non-traditional threats to international security such as cybercrime, the negative impact of using information and communication technologies, he added.

Uzbek President stated: “The situation is seriously being exacerbated by rivalry of external forces in the region. Serious challenges and threats are emerging due to the intensification of activities by armed gangs and subversive and terrorist groups in border areas, as well as because of social and economic problems, political and interethnic conflicts that could lead to destabilization of the military-political situation.”

“The difficult situation in the vicinity of our borders requires taking, above all, urgent actions to prevent and neutralize these kinds of threats and ensure tranquillity and peace in our land. With the aim of implementing such goals, the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan [parliament] adopted in September 2012 the law “On approval of the concept of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan” - a document that has caused a great reaction by the international community now,” Uzbek leader noted in his message.

“Uzbekistan has made clear its stance on distancing from various military-political blocs and alliances, on its strong position to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and on refusing to deploy in its territory of foreign military bases, as well as on its independent, consistent and active foreign policy,” Uzbek President said.

“At the same time, the most important condition and a guarantee of the consistent implementation of the foreign policy, security and stability of Uzbekistan is continuation of the comprehensive strengthening of the capacity and combat readiness of our armed forces, strengthening of measures to protect the country's sovereignty and protection of its borders,” Islam Karimov underlined.

He said that that improvement of strategy and tactics of the Armed Forces, in-depth development of the modern experience of combat operations, and implement long-term plans for training commanders in educational and research centers in the partner countries are becoming important.

Islam Karimov said that it is important to continue and deepen started work on improvement of protection of the state borders, introduction of modern information communication technologies into troop management system, which would allow to manage forces in real-time mode.

“The priority task of the command of the Armed Forces is a radical change in the content of training, combat training. The utmost attention should be paid to the issues of improving the planning of tactical, command post exercises, to ensure their match with conditions as close to real fighting. During exercises, it is important to make active use of modelling and simulation, develop various models and versions of combat operations to neutralize militant groups, subversive and terrorist groups trying to enter the country,” Uzbek President stated.

President Islam Karimov said that the focus should be made on targets for further fitting out the Armed Forces with modern types of weapons and equipment. In this field it is necessary to significantly improve and expand the scope of international military-technical cooperation with foreign partner countries.

In his message, Islam Karimov underlined that it is necessary to develop highly qualified junior officers, including sergeants. He said that educational work should be significantly improved and education system should reflect modern requirements. He noted that modern recruits use modern information and computer technology and speak foreign languages.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov said that the Ministry of Defense, law enforcement bodies and other corresponding institutions should pay important attention on providing more housing to servicemen in 2013 - the Year of Prosperity.